Billy Corgan: “Paint colour actually changes the sound of a guitar”
Smashing Pumpkins main man shares his theory on the best-sounding finish
MusicRadar's best of 2018: When tone guru Billy Corgan talks guitar sounds, we’re inclined to listen, but we’ll be taking the Smashing Pumpkins leader’s latest assertion with a pinch of salt.
In a video interview with Guitar Center, Corgan begins by reeling off the specs of his Reverend signature models, before dropping a finish bombshell.
“People think I’m a bit goofy, but I do think paint colour actually changes the sound of a guitar,” he mused.
“I’ve found through the years that certain paints sound different, so the white Reverend, I think, sounds better. I have a couple of other ones, but this one seems to sound the best.”
We’re all aware of the theory that nitrocellulose finishes sound better, but specific colours offering improved tone? Well, that’s a new one on us.
It’s not the first controversial comment Corgan’s made on the six-string front this year; back in August, he revealed beef with both Fender and Gibson.
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Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.
